ALOR STAR: The Education Ministry is satisfied with the overall 2016 Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) examination results, in spite of a drop in the number of candidates achieving straight As nationwide.

However, its minister, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, said there is a need to conduct an analysis on the students’ weaknesses in handling Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions.

Mahdzir said although the overall National Average Grade (GPN) improved from 5.15 in 2015 to 5.10 last year, the ministry needs to carry out analysis on the difficulties faced by students in handling the 25 per cent HOTS questions for each SPM paper.

"Through the analysis, we will be able to identify the weaknesses among students in handling HOTS questions.

"Then, we will look for ways to improve students’ preparation for HOTS questions in SPM examinations," he said after presenting SPM results to SMK Kubang Rotan candidates today.

Mahdzir stressed that HOTS questions will be retained in SPM and other general examinations, as it is part of the national education development agenda.